Simon Oldfield, Founding Partner of London-based Simon Oldfield Art Associates, brings a distinctive combination of curatorial, art advisory, and legal expertise to the art world. He provides clients with expert advice rooted in deep market intelligence and extensive experience. This integrated approach, underpinned by a broad international network, enables him to lead complex projects, curate exceptional exhibitions and build outstanding art collections.
As a seasoned curator and art advisor, Simon has cultivated longstanding relationships with collectors worldwide. His curatorial highlights include one of the first solo presentations of paintings by Michael Armitage at his former eponymous gallery, and collaborations with major institutions such as the Royal Academy of Arts, Tate, and Arts Council England.
Simon also leads cultural place-making projects. He is currently Artistic Director for the new arts and culture programme at Wolterton Hall in Norfolk and previously advised Grosvenor Estate on its cultural programme in Mayfair, with a focus on re-imagining heritage buildings on Mount Street and Carlos Place.
Simon's legal background provides a critical advantage in the art world, enabling him to navigate the complexities of art transactions. This unique combination of legal and art market knowledge allows Simon Oldfield Art Associates to offer clients comprehensive strategic counsel.
Beyond his work with clients, Simon is a significant contributor to the broader art and culture landscape. As co-founder of Pindrop with Elizabeth Day, he fosters collaborations between leading artists, writers, and actors, creating innovative and engaging experiences. This was brought together in 'A Short Affair', a book uniting art and literature with bestselling writers and leading artists (compiled and edited by Simon, published by Simon & Schuster in collaboration with the Royal Academy of Arts).
He is also a prominent public speaker with highlights including the Vatican/Deloitte’s Art & Finance Conference, London School of Economics, Kunsthalle Zurich, Art Basel, Amazon, BMW Welt, The Arts Club, Society of London Art Dealers, Laguna Art Museum of California, and Hauser & Wirth. He has been a guest on the Talk Art, Monocle 24 podcasts, Artlogic Connects and Waterstones Live. Simon has contributed to publications including Monocle, Harper's Bazaar, and FT Weekend, served on judging panels for awards such as the Sunday Times Watercolour Competition, the British Book Awards, the Caitlin Art Prize and the Jerwood Drawing Prize, and provided expert opinion to a House of Lords’ cross-party Parliamentary enquiry into the impact of technology on the creative industries. Simon sits on the Philanthropy Board of Art UK.